07/23/11

Birthday Bouquet

My good friend Debbie surprised me with this beautiful Rose bouquet, this past Thursday, for my birthday.  It's beautiful, don't you think?

Thank-you Debbie!

07/08/11

Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) and Old Fashioned Petunia (Petunia hybrida)

 When the weather hits 106 in Texas as it is supposed to today, everyone runs for cover indoors.  Me, I'll be out in the heat watering.  If I get too hot, I can always run over to my potted Cape Plumbago.  Looking at the icy blue blooms is like taking a drink of cool, cool water.  It most definitely won't take the place of H20, but it'll do, until I can get some.  An old fashioned climbing petunia grows in a pot beside the Plumbago.  It's fiery hot purple blooms just make the cool blue look even cooler.



07/07/11

Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii Pumpkin and Red)

This is a plant native to Texas. The flowers are either light orange (Pumpkin) or deep red-orange (Red.)  I started mine from some seeds someone gave me.  Each year I have more because they re-seed with abandon.   It's pretty clear why they have been given the common name Flame Acanthus.   'Don't call the Fire Department - it's just my Anisacanthus!'

07/06/11

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) etc.

With only 10 percent chance of rain in the forecast, all my neighbors thought I was mental when I said 'it's going to rain.'  They all thought I was gifted when it did.  How did I know?  My Texas Sages were in full bloom.  When Leucophyllum frutescens is in bloom, you may recall as I showed from an earlier post, you can almost be sure, here in Texas, it will rain.

07/5/11 TUESDAY ENSEMBLE

Cosmos sulphureus, Liatris spicata Kobold, Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Sacramento

This trio laughs at the heat of summer!